This Easy Wonton Soup is warm, savory, comforting, and much easier to make at home than it looks. Tender wontons filled with seasoned pork and shrimp are simmered in a light, flavorful broth with ginger, garlic, green onions, and a touch of sesame oil.
It’s perfect for a quick dinner, a cozy lunch, or an easy homemade takeout night. You can make the wontons from scratch, use store-bought wontons for a shortcut, or freeze a batch for fast meals later.
Why You’ll Love This Wonton Soup
- Warm and comforting
- Light but satisfying
- Easy to customize
- Freezer-friendly
- Great for meal prep
- Homemade takeout-style flavor
- Uses simple ingredients
- Can be made with pork, shrimp, chicken, or vegetables
- Perfect for chilly evenings
Ingredients
For the Wonton Filling
- ½ pound ground pork
- ¼ pound raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and finely chopped
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- Pinch of salt
For Assembly
- 30–36 wonton wrappers
- Small bowl of water, for sealing
For the Soup Broth
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Salt, to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- Baby bok choy
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Napa cabbage
- Carrots
- Snow peas
For Garnishing
- Green onions
- Sesame oil
- Chili crisp
- White pepper
- Cilantro, optional
What Is Wonton Soup?
Wonton soup is a classic Chinese-style soup built around delicate dumplings served in a clear savory broth.
The wontons can contain:
- Pork
- Shrimp
- Chicken
- Vegetables
- A mixture of meat and seafood
The broth is usually lighter than ramen or creamy soups, allowing the flavor of the wontons to stand out.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought Wontons
Both work.
Homemade Wontons
Best when you want maximum flavor and control over the filling.
Frozen Wontons
Excellent when you’re short on time.
You can have soup on the table very quickly with a bag of frozen wontons and good-quality broth.
How to Make Homemade Wontons
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Place the ground pork and chopped shrimp in a bowl.
Add:
- Green onions
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Cornstarch
- Sugar
- White pepper
- Salt
Mix until everything is evenly combined and slightly sticky.
Why Add Cornstarch?
Cornstarch helps bind moisture inside the filling.
It also gives the cooked filling a smoother, more cohesive texture.
You only need a small amount.
Step 2: Test the Seasoning
Because the filling contains raw meat, don’t taste it raw.
Instead, cook a teaspoon of filling in a small skillet.
Taste.
Adjust the seasoning before filling all the wontons.
This little step can save an entire batch from being underseasoned.
Step 3: Prepare Your Work Area
Set out:
- Wonton wrappers
- Filling
- Small spoon
- Bowl of water
- Baking sheet or tray
Keep unused wonton wrappers covered with a slightly damp towel so they don’t dry out.
Step 4: Add the Filling
Place one wonton wrapper in your hand or on your work surface.
Add approximately 1 teaspoon filling to the center.
Don’t overfill.
Too much filling makes sealing difficult and increases the chance of the wonton opening while cooking.
Step 5: Moisten the Edges
Dip your finger in water.
Lightly wet the edges of the wrapper.
Step 6: Fold
Fold the wrapper diagonally to form a triangle.
Press around the filling to push out trapped air.
Seal the edges firmly.
Step 7: Shape the Wonton
Bring the two outer corners toward each other.
Moisten one corner.
Press them together.
You’ll get the classic little wonton shape.
Don’t worry if your first few aren’t perfect.
As long as they’re tightly sealed, they’ll taste great.
Step 8: Continue
Repeat with the remaining filling and wrappers.
Keep finished wontons covered so the wrappers don’t dry out.
How to Make the Wonton Soup Broth
Step 9: Heat the Broth
Add chicken broth and water to a large pot.
Add:
- Ginger
- Garlic
Bring to a gentle simmer.
Step 10: Season
Add:
- Soy sauce
- White pepper
Simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
This allows the ginger and garlic to flavor the broth.
Step 11: Remove Aromatics
Remove the large ginger slices and crushed garlic if desired.
This keeps the broth clean and smooth.
Step 12: Add Vegetables
If using vegetables such as:
- Bok choy
- Mushrooms
- Cabbage
- Carrots
Add them according to how long they need to cook.
Firm vegetables should go in earlier.
Spinach can go in near the end.
Step 13: Cook the Wontons
Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
Carefully add the wontons.
Stir gently once so they don’t stick to the bottom.
Cook until the wrappers become tender and the filling is fully cooked.
Fresh wontons often take approximately 4–6 minutes, depending on their size.
Pork filling should reach 160°F (71°C).
If using poultry, cook to 165°F (74°C).
Shrimp should be opaque and fully cooked.
Step 14: Finish the Broth
Reduce the heat.
Add sesame oil.
Taste.
Adjust with more:
- Soy sauce
- Salt
- White pepper
Step 15: Serve
Divide wontons among bowls.
Ladle the hot broth and vegetables over them.
Finish with:
- Green onions
- Sesame oil
- Chili crisp
- White pepper
Serve immediately.